Silverstone

by C E Johnson

  Elizabeth was the next to arrive. She gave Emily and Isabelle a kiss on their cheeks. “At least something good has happened to us,” Elizabeth said tenderly as she stroked her bondsmate. She sat and also leaned against the great dragon while letting her ocelot curl up on her lap. Wearing a soft navy lambswool cloak, the crisp colors in Elizabeth’s eyes were accentuated like blue diamonds.

  Flying down from the dark night sky in her dragon-form, Anna appeared all at once from nowhere. She landed simultaneously with her golden eagle and transformed effortlessly into her human form. A faint rosy flush was in her cheeks. Lifting her arm for her eagle to land upon, she walked over to Ammolite and sat down next to dragonscales. “Our path looks clear for leagues to the east,” she told their group. A brisk wind blew around her in a soft swirl making the golden highlights in her chestnut hair dance and twirl.

  “I’m ready to finish off this war,” Luke said in a hushed voice as he joined the crew. For some reason, he was radiating an inner fury. Even his stride was angry as was the impression Emily observed in Rune who was loping at Luke’s side. Luke fingered his rounded cheekbones and strong square jaw. Emily gestured for him to sit next to her and Xena, and he visibly relaxed. He even gave a small satisfied smile as he complied. A portion of his passionate irritation evaporated instantly. Putting her head on his shoulder, Emily leaned onto him. He smelled of leather, soap, and war.

  “We need to plan out our final battle,” Emily said in a low voice. “We can’t wing it like we did in New Orleans.” She rubbed her hand lightly over the stubble on Luke’s cheek. “I’ve fully incorporated Shadoe, and I’m going to start casting spells of prophecy to determine potential options for us.” She inhaled the scent of snow, cold, and horses. “Ammolite will help me.”

  “And then it will all be over, right?” Luke asked in a huff. “I’m getting tired of all the death. It’s getting to me.” His eyes appeared as steely as his blade. “I’m becoming ferocious and vicious, and I don’t really like my evolution.”

  “And then it will be over,” Emily whispered in his ear. She gave him a light kiss on his forehead. Closing her eyes, suddenly she could picture Iscar’s goldstone with six sides waiting for her along with a future that she could almost make out. Everything was sitting just beyond her view. Just over the next hill.

  Emily, when they go to bed, we need to talk, Ammolite whispered in her mind.

  The Dragon Prophecy

  (incomplete)

  From ancient bloodlines most rare,

  From the Houses of the Elves and Humankind,

  Two offspring stronger than steel,

  Their futures intertwined,

  One will depart raw,

  One will depart trained,

  One the sword, one the shield,

  Power deeply ingrained,

  Knowledge her salvation,

  Knowledge her only guide,

  Shades of every hue define her,

  Powerful strength magnified,

  Blue the cave, Red the king,

  Green the queen, Black the darkest shadow,

  Silver the endless night,

  Gold dawn’s bright tomorrow,

  Fear blunting the strongest hearts,

  Armies will gather on the plain,

  Who will stumble in the darkness,

  As the liberator begins her campaign,

  Both will be tested ruthlessly,

  Both will battle the betrayer,

  Will dragons or man rule the wheel,

  The choice will go to the slayer,

  Once her wounds no longer heal,

  Her quest for the set will form,

  Once war flows like a flood,

  Desolation the violent storm,

  In the heart of the shaking forest,

  Radiant lights align,

  His words resonate upon his passing,

  Guiding her tender mind,

  When evil reawakens from the grave,

  When wickedness awaits,

  Resolve will battle pain,

  Love will battle hate,

  The disciples of death must refute their leader,

  The disciples must choose their fate,

  All will hang in the balance,

  The hope of nations will clean the slate,

  Glossary of Auras

  Colors of auras, and their inborn spell advantages

  Black – Speak to spirits of Ater, form Mavet raa

  Blue – Shields

  Brown – Shape change

  Coral – Variable, fly

  Cyan – Magestone shaper

  Gray – Intelligence, memory

  Green – Heal

  Gold – Elemental control: fire, water, earth, wind

  Indigo – Bondsmates, control animals

  Orange – Enchant objects, prophecy

  Red – Offensive spells, fight

  Sand – Stonework

  Silver – Psionics

  Violet – Potions

  White – Illusions, camouflage

  Yellow – Truth-telling, aura assessment, leadership

  Glossary of Half-deads

  After death, some spirits go to Ater, a type of purgatory.

  Through spells, spirits in Ater can be pulled back to the physical world as a Mavet raa.

  A Mavet raa is a zombie-esque creature. It will follow the orders of its creator, and will die upon its creator’s death.

  If a Mavet raa kills a magician, magus will be released, and the energy will transform the creature into a half-dead.

  A half-dead can assimilate components of energy released by death in its vicinity, gaining vitality, knowledge and memories. A half-dead will not die when its creator dies.

  Transformation from a Mavet raa to half-dead is based on the aura of the first magician killed:

  Black – Vampires, night vision, agility

  Blue – Gargoyle, stone-like skin

  Brown – Were-creature, a single animal form

  Coral – Harpy, half human, half bird

  Cyan – Maricoxi, ape-like creatures

  Gray – Kobold, intelligent, reptilian

  Green – Dryad, nature skills

  Gold – Gnomes, Undines, Sylphs, Fire-serpents. Elemental power

  Indigo – Skinwalker, multiple animal forms

  Orange – Wyvern, small dragons, poisonous bite.

  Red – Goblins, human-sized fighter

  Sand – Troll, intermediate-sized fighter

  Silver – Shade, weak psionic ability

  Violet – Vetala, increased speed

  White – Banshees, camouflage

  Yellow – Ogre, large fighter

  Glossary of Characters

  Aamon, Abadd, and Abatu – Samil’s sons

  Aderyn – Falcon, Keaton’s bondsmate

  Adrienne – Dryad, half-dead created by Emily

  Akhil – Freedom Fighter

  Amana – Saber-toothed tiger, Rios Esteppe’s bondsmate

  Amanda Baker – Stargate Project member

  Andrew Dalton – Doctor, pediatric surgeon, Emily’s godfather

  Anna – Emily’s friend, martial artist

  Apache – Emily’s horse at the Henry stable

  Arach – King of the dragons in the first dragon war

  Argos – Isabelle’s horse at the Henry stable

  Arn – Eagle, Droth’s bondsmate

  Ashignis Angel – Gold Magician, Professor of the elements

  Atarah – Clouded Leopard, Amanda’s bondsmate

  Barkley Hooten – Captain of the Royal Zuriel

  Bronte – Emily’s warhorse

  Brytam – White Magician, Samil’s assistant

  Cain – Vampire, half-dead created by Samil

  Calumnia Funk – White Magician, Alitis, Professor of illusions

  Cameron – Blue Magician, orphan

  Captain Casford – United States military officer

  Caroline – Swimmer

  Claire – Blue Magician, orphan

  Critten
den Quercus – Elf, Captain of the guard

  Cyril – Red Magician, King of Ekron sector

  Dax – River otter, Dr. D’s bondsmate

  Delores Quadmire – Bully in Austin, Texas

  Doeg Quadmire – Delores’ father, trainer

  Dracul, Drago, and Drakkon – Dragons of the Black Riders by Portal Lake

  Drakus – Black Magician, Drogor’s ancestor, fought in first Dragon War

  Drogor – Wraith-spirit - dead grandfather of Samil, magician, black magic

  Droth – Black Magician, Samil’s general on Earth

  Duke – Boxer, Hadrian’s bondsmate, nickname for Orthus

  Dysis Hoshi – Blacksky lieutenant

  Edvard – Vampire, half-dead

  Elaina – Elf queen

  Elizabeth – Emily’s friend, swimmer

  Emily – Blue Magician

  Erma – Peregrine falcon, Isabelle’s bondsmate

  Fang – Saber-tooth tiger, Suci Abaddon’s bondsmate

  Ferdinand Maurer –Yellow Magician, Professor of auras and magestones

  Finnur Haukur – Captain of the Elisabet

  Flamescale – Red dragon of Eusebius

  Fred Wernli – Pulmonologist

  Gavone Gassone – Red Magician, leader of the Cat Clan

  Ginger Mero – Brown Magician, Professor shape changing

  Goldenmoon – Dragon of Eusebius

  Graciela – Vampire, half-dead

  Greyson Raiken – the Raik, master thief

  Hadrian Simara – Blacksky Commander

  Ian McClinton – Medic who found Hadrian in Hawaii

  Isabelle – Emily’s friend, horse rider

  Iscar – Magician

  James Moss – Doctor that trained Dr. D

  Janishka Rumanovah – Violet Magician, Droth’s wife

  Jeff McAdams – Coach, Sword

  John Ureste – Doctor, Charity Hospital

  Jon – Magician, Green Magic, crew of Elisabet, longbow expert

  KC McLaughlin – Federal Agent

  Keaton – Blue Magician, orphan, Alitis

  Kelcey – Black Magician, Elf, sister of Shadoe

  Kirbee – Vampire, half-dead

  Kwan Tat – Gold Magician, Javan, crew of Elisabet

  Mors – Vampire, half-dead

  Mr. Jesse Gunlock – Attendant at the animal shelter

  Ladon – Dragon of Angkor

  Lambo – Great grandnephew of Droth

  Lampos – Horse merchant of Angkor

  Lia – Ocelot, Elizabeth’s bondsmate

  Loff Retz – Indigo magician, nexus, wraith spirit

  London Belafsky – Indigo Magician, Professor of bondsmates

  Luce Levi Laadah – Lacerta warrior

  Luke – Emily’s friend, fencer

  Lyall – Leader of the were-creatures in the Dothan Forest

  Maaca – Vampire, half-dead created by Samil

  Magog – Saber-toothed tiger, Suci’s bondsmate

  Malachi Hughes – President’s son

  Marcus Tate – Yellow Magician, Samil’s assistant

  Marie – Swimmer

  Medens Force – Green Magician, Professor of healing

  Milo – Red Magician, Droth’s assistant

  Nathan Ezer – Fisherman who gave Cyril a water cobra

  Neal Poulton Himes – Archery instructor

  Nicos and Yorgos – Twins, crew of Elisabet

  Nox – Horse, Cameron’s bondsmate

  Oliver Tseng – Sensei of martial arts

  Orel – Eagle bondsmate of Lambo

  Palin – Coach, Swimming

  Pendon – Angkor Castle director

  Poulton Neal Himes – Coach, Bowmaster

  Richard and Jean Whayne – Emily’s adoptive parents

  Rios Esteppe – Red Magician, Cat Clan

  Roseanne Reese – Orange Magician, Professor of Dragon lore and the history of magic

  Ross – Elf warrior

  Rune – Dire wolf, Luke’s bondsmate

  Sak – Gray dragon of Citlaltzin

  Samamune – Javan swordmaker

  Samil – Black Magician

  Scott Henry – Owns the stables where Emily trains

  Shachal – Black tiger, Gavone’s bondsmate

  Shadoe – Orange Magician, Elf

  Skyler – Black dragon, Samil’s bondsmate

  Soane – Golden eagle, Anna’s bondsmate

  Stacy Stevens – Silver Magician, Professor of psionics

  Steele – Captain John Steele, Elf warrior

  Suci Abaddon – Violet Magician, Professor of potions

  Tebah – Blacksky agent, close friend of Hadrian

  Tengu – Acacean mega-bat bondsmate

  Tertius Kline – Captain of pirate ship

  Tiamat – Queen of the dragons on Acacia

  Tonalli – Javan warrior, trained Hadrian

  Ullr – Shade, half-dead created by Samil

  Vadimas – onetime head of the magical academy on the Island of Bashan

  Val Vincere – Red Magician, Professor of offensive magic

  Victor – Fusion of mermaid and Acacean, crew of Elisabet

  Victoria - Elf, Squadron Commander

  Vuk – Black panther, Malachi’s bondsmate

  Wennogle Wall – Blue Magician, Professor of shields

  William Hughes – President of the United States

  Wuldur – Shade, half-dead created by Samil

  Xander, Xanthus, Xeno – Xena’s littermates, Droth’s dogs

  Xena – pronounced Zeena, Doberman, nickname Z, Emily’s bondsmate

  Yannis – Water cobra, Cyril’s bondsmate

  Yotan – Javan King during Hadrian’s youth

  Zaki – Freedom Fighter

  Zara – Innkeeper of the Flotsam

  Glossary of Magic

  Aneoxa porta – Open

  Aranea Textura – Weave a web to search for others, or scan for items

  Ardesco – Fireball

  Armus – Communicate with animals

  Ater – Purgatory, the spirit world

  Consigno – Seal a message in a magestone fragment

  Defigere – Enchant an object

  Domina Ferinus – Spell to control animals

  Dream-link – A spell to communicate

  Fegkos fulgar – Fire

  Flamae – Fireball

  Flammeus absorbeo – Reduce things

  Fulgar makria – Turn off lights

  Glacies – Freeze spell

  Ianitorus – Spell to open doors

  Ki (Pronounced “key”) – Inner voice, inner magical power

  Loqua umbra – Words to guide a magician to the spirit world, Ater

  Madai – Name for someone who has no magical ability

  Mage-field – Force field around an object to prevent magus use

  Mage-lock – A lock on a door allowing limited magician entry

  Magus – (pronounced “may-jus”) - Inner magic

  Makria – End a spell

  Medicor – Heal

  Memoria – Memorize, commit to memory

  Mind-link – A mental link between bondsmates

  Mouwe – Camouflage spell

  Mutationnem – Mutate to another shape

  Mutato Draco – Spell to transform into a dragon shape

  Oath-bound – Samil’s dragon-oath bound warriors

  Praedico vaticinatio – Spell of prophecy

  Propero – Move

  Pulsus – Psionic spell, push, moves an object

  Remedio bestia – Healing spell for bondsmates

  Somnio – Sleep or meditation to begin to send across a dream-link

  Thyreos o – Shield spell

  Ukcabala – The process of pulling across a spirit from Ater

  Vinculum – The process of bonding with a bondsmate

  Zambi – Formation of a Mavet raa

  Glossary of Time

  1: Earth prime age: starts from the day one first arrives on Earth

&
nbsp; 2: One day on Earth is equivalent to one year on Acacia

  3: Traveling from Acacia to Earth: No change in age. Earth prime age begins. Weakening in magic, senses, agility. A tolerance can be built over time or adaptation occurs with spells that promote rejuvenation

  4: Traveling from Earth to Acacia: Travelers from Earth to Acacia undergo a heightening. Agility, strength, intelligence, senses and magical ability all increase, greater based on years on Earth. Heightened abilities decay slowly over years spent on Acacia

  5: Traveling from Earth to Acacia and back to Earth:

  For each year spent on Acacia, one day passes on Earth.

  Age will revert upon a return to Earth based off Earth prime age plus one day for each year spent on Acacia. Cheating time.

  Retain skills and memories from a trip to Acacia upon a return to Earth

  Weakening upon a return to Earth - greater depending on the amount of time spent on Acacia

  Examples:

  Born on Acacia. Leave Acacia at 30, arrive on Earth. Earth prime age begins at 30. Weakening. Tolerance will build. Remain on Earth 10 years. Will be 40 Earth years. Return to Acacia. Will stay 40. Heightening. 3,650 years will have passed on Acacia (365 x 10). If remain on Acacia 10 years, heightening decays. Will be 50 years old. Return to Earth. Weakening. Only 10 Earth days will have passed for the 10 Acacean years. Revert to 40 Earth years plus 10 days. Cheat time. Will retain new abilities, memories. Tolerance begins

  Born on Earth. Earth prime age begins at birth. At 14, travel to AcaciaHeightening. Live 10 years on Acacia, will be 24 years old, heightening decays. Return to Earth. Weakening. Revert back to 14 years of age plus 10 days. Cheat time. Will retain memories and skills learned. Tolerance begins

  Twins born on Acacia. Twin A leaves at birth to Earth. Weakening. Earth prime age begins at age 0. Tolerance begins. Twin B lives 10 years on Acacia (10 Earth days). Twin B goes to Earth. Weakening. Earth prime age begins at 10 years. Tolerance begins. Twin A will be 10 days old, Twin B 10 years old. Discrepant age based on Earth prime day.

  Born on Acacia. At 50 years old, travel to Earth. Earth prime age begins at 50. Weakening. Tolerance begins. If stay one day and return to Acacia. One year will have passed on Acacia. Mild heightening. Stay on Acacia ten years - 60-year-old. Return to Earth. Weakening. Revert back to 50 years plus 10 days. Cheat time. Stay one day on Earth, return to Acacia. One year will have passed on Acacia. Will still be 50 years plus 11 days. Cheat time. Mild heightening.